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In the last decade important results have been achieved with the usage of geostatistical methods for the solution of geologic and mining problems, particularly in the estimate process of resources in Cuban lateritic deposits. Their uses imply on the one hand, to master fundamental concepts such as: the semivariogram calculation and adjustment, the kriging estimate and the geostatistical simulation, on the other hand, it is necessary to carry out a suitable processing interpretation in each moment, which depends on the experience of specialists on the subject. In this paper, some comments are presented on the article Geostatistical models of the nickel concentration in the domain 7 of Punta Gorda deposit with regard to the geostatistical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzed the importance of integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adapting policies into the socio-economic development plans of coastal municipalities in Cuba. To this end, a literature review was carried out to locate the main theoretical and bibliographical sources on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, coastal municipalities and government policies and triangulate them to create a four-phase integration tool. This tool will improve the territorial development plans and make them more effective while promoting an integrated vision of disaster risk reduction and adapting to climate change as a fundamental basis for the sustainability of development in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuba is struggling with a growing environmental problem: the uncontrolled spread of the allochthonous weed species marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea) throughout the country. Over the last 70 years, marabou has become a formidable invasive species that poses a threat to Cuban biodiversity and agricultural productivity. In this paper, we present a free and affordable method for regularly mapping the spatial distribution of the marabou based on the Google Earth Engine platform and ecological surveys. To test its accuracy, we develop an 18-year remote sensing analysis (2000–2018) of marabou dynamics using the Valle de los Ingenios, a Cuban UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an experimental model. Our spatial analysis reveals clear patterns of marabou distribution and highlights areas of concentrated growth. Temporal trends illustrate the aggressive nature of the species, identifying periods of expansion and decline. In addition, our system is able to detect specific, large-scale human interventions against the marabou plague in the area. The results highlight the urgent need for remedial strategies to maintain the fragile ecological balance in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoselin Benitez Alfonso, a professor in interdisciplinary plant sciences at the University of Leeds, shares her journey and passion for plant science. Growing up in Cuba, she developed a love for nature and later pursued a degree in chemistry in Spain. Despite not having a biology background, she taught herself plant biology and became interested in plasmodesmata research. She is motivated by her love for research, the success of her students, and the impact of her contributions to teaching and diversity. She considers her father and various mentors as role models and enjoys reading papers on plasmodesmata research and plant symbiosis. Her favorite plant is the olive tree due to its symbolism, climate resilience, and economic significance. Yoselin is also involved in the Black in Plant Science Network and has received recognition for her leadership and academic achievements. [Extracted from the article]

In the context of updating the Cuban economic model, special emphasis is placed on the development and promotion of management systems as tools for decision-making. This paper presents the design of the Management System Module, specifically the component of standardized management systems within the framework of the I Edition of the Diploma in Public and Business Administration of the Higher School of State and Government Cadres. The research is based on various tools and techniques and on the processing of scientific information from specialized databases in this area of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Latin America, distribution networks are mostly radial, with high energy losses, representing about 16% of the region's electricity consumption. In Cuba, one of the alternatives that has been proposed to reduce these losses is the distribution of photovoltaic (PV) power plants of up to 3 MWp in them. This paper presents a new hybrid optimization algorithm to localize and size PV power plants to minimize energy losses in radial distribution networks. The method localizes the power plants using Empirical Discrete Metaheuristic in conjunction with a novel strategy that reduces the execution time of the algorithm. The sizes are found using the Coordinate Search Method, which performs one‐dimensional searches in the directions of the variables of the objective function. The algorithm was run on a 33‐bus IEEE test system in which up to five power plants were optimally installed, taking into account load variations at the distribution level and changes in the weather conditions under which the power plants operate. It should be noted that the execution times for each scenario did not exceed 30 s. The algorithm was validated by comparing it with other methods found in the literature and proved to be more efficient than them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional culture is a complex and important concept in Cuba as result of the special attention the State and Government give to the integral education as essential complement of academic quality in Higher Educational programs. The aim of this paper is to make an up-to-date reflection about the concept of professional culture and its operationalization in the higher medical education in the country. Key programmatic and normative documents as well as the main papers and authors treating the concept were reviewed. The paper invite to discuss about the concept. Theorical and conceptual breaches were identified and discussed in order to contribute to entrenche professional and behavioural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the La Habana 2016 workshop on writing scientific papers that was held in Cuba on March 9, 2016.

This paper is about corporate entrepreneurship as a particular field on entrepreneurship related to established business, an understudied issue in Cuba. Considering the current situation of our state owned enterprises, has a potential for business renewal that should be taken into account. Therefore, theoretical frame, external and internal conditions for corporate entrepreneurship implementation is briefly discussed. An updated assessment of our state owned enterprises is also included and, finally, some ideas about corporate entrepreneurship implementation in our country are outlined, considering a context of profound transformations on this business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper responds to Asante et al. (in Hum Resour Health, 2014), providing an updated picture of the impacts of Cuban medical training in the Pacific region based on research carried out in 2019–2021, which focused on the experiences of Pacific Island doctors trained in Cuba and their integration into practice in their home countries. Methods: The research focussed on two case studies—Solomon Islands and Kiribati. Study methods for this research included multi-sited ethnographic methods and semi-structured interviews as well as qualitative analysis of policy documents, reports, and media sources. Results: The Cuban health assistance programme has had a significant impact on the medical workforce in the Pacific region increasing the number of doctors employed by Pacific Ministries of Health between 2012 and 2019. Qualitatively, there have been some notable improvements in the medical workforce and health delivery over this period. However, the integration of the Cuban-trained doctors into practise has been challenging, with criticisms of their clinical, procedural and communication skills, and the need for the rapid development of bridging and internship training programmes (ITPs) which were inadequately planned for at the outset of the programme. Conclusions: The Cuban programme in the Pacific is an important model of development assistance for health in the region. While Cuba's offer of scholarships was the trigger for a range of positive outcomes, the success of the programme has relied on input from a range of actors including support from other governments and institutions, and much hard work by the graduates themselves, often in the face of considerable criticism. Key impacts of the programme to date include the raw increase in the number of doctors and the development of the ITPs and career pathways for the graduates, although this has also led to the reorientation of Cuban graduates from preventative to curative health. There is considerable potential for these graduates to contribute to improved health outcomes across the region, particularly if their primary and preventative health care skills are utilised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral investment treaties signed by the Cuban State contain a set of substantive and procedural standards of mandatory compliance for the contracting parties. Among these is the most favored nation clause, a commitment that obliges the States to grant, both to foreign investors and to their investments, the most favorable treatment fundamentally in material matters. From the analysis of this clause, the main theoretical and normative deficiencies were identified, which could place the State in a situation of vulnerability before an eventual investment arbitration, as well as hinder the management of any local development project with the presence of foreign investment. The objective of this paper is to formulate theoretical assumptions for the improvement of the most favored nation clause of the bilateral investment treaties concluded by Cuba. The methods used were analysissynthesis, inductive-deductive, historical-legal analysis, theoretical-legal analysis and exegeticallegal analysis. The research was also carried out on the basis of the bibliographical review and the analysis of documents, which allowed the critical analysis and the taking of theoretical positions with respect to the institution studied, which will favor a better management and application of these agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shrimp farming is one of the pillars of aquaculture. Among the main shrimp species, Peneaus vannamei stands out, which represents around 70% of the world's shrimp production. The control of genetic diversity is essential to improve a selective breeding program in the shrimp industry. The volume of data on genetic markers in Peneaus vannamei has been growing in the last few years. Aim. To review and analyze the information related to genetic studies in this shrimp species using the most widely known molecular markers. Several different studies on genetic characterization through molecular markers in white-leg shrimp culture were reviewed. Development: This study also tackled the analysis of microsatellite and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers of this Penaeus shrimp and the genetic characterization of shrimp populations in Cuba using molecular markers. This paper also includes different reviews of research studies of SNP trait-associated markers in Peneaus vannamei shrimp culture. Conclusions: Microsatellite and SNP markers were found to play an important role in the genetic characterization of Penaeus vannamei shrimps, as the most powerful tools for genome analysis. Furthermore, the genetic polymorphism markers associated with phenotypic traits can be used in future selective breeding applications in shrimp farming mainly in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-government protests that swept across Cuba on July 11, 2021 were the most massive ones after Cuban Revolution's triumph. Social media played a key role as vehicles to extend and document the events. They were also an informative resource towards traditional media insufficient coverage. That context encouraged the dissemination of fake news, which were then placed at the very center of legitimacy disputes regarding the social uprising. The paper aims at explaining the political uses of fake news during the protests. To do so, it was analyzed both Cuban government's appropriation of the term, as well as the fake news with political content that circulated on Facebook during the protests. The application of political discourse analysis's method from a qualitative perspective allowed us to identify five political uses of the fake news concept by the Cuban government and seven in the fake news with political content that were analyzed. It is concluded that the fake news concept was used as a strategic rethoric resource by the Cuban officials in order to 1) strengthen a defensive discoursive position that polarizes the "us" towards "them", and also to 2) prevent the collective political dispute regarding the idea of "truth" via the intentional reading and appropriation of news facts, of which practices such as the digital blackout and the nonrecognition of the protests by the official media derived. Also, we indicate that signification processes derived from fake news with political content's effects intensified polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintenance, that by definition, it is directed to "the realization of a group of operations and technical activities that assure the conservation, preservation and correction of AFT during a period of certain time against the deterioration that can cause the use and continuous exploitation as well as the noxious effects of the environment, and taken it to end at a reasonable cost and with the necessary security for people" With this article it is sought to base this unquestionable necessity and the importance of learning on the adequate use of this science; and the paper that the "Maintenance" and its impact have in the economic results of industrial enterprises. Maintenance, also gives answer to establishments of our days, such as the increment of the energy efficiency, the reduction of import of spare parts and the profitability of the companies, all of great importance for Cuban economy. Will be analyzed the insufficient use that industrial enterprises do of all the learning capacity that high education has. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a wide array of original documents collected from Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Serbian diplomatic, party and security services archives, reflecting Havana's foreign policy during the Cold War. The article's narrative follows Cuba's Cold War foreign policy in the 1970s. Through its multipolar archival research methodology, the paper aims to help us acquaint a more nuanced and fuller picture of the complex and evolving character of Cuba's Cold War internationalism as seen through the eyes of Moscow's East European allies, marking a clear departure from existing literature mostly engaging Soviet or American sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the details of the XVI Symposium of the Cuban Society of Physics, which took place at the University of Havana from April 8th to 11th, 2024. The symposium had the participation of 150 attendees and 152 papers were presented in different formats. The collaboration of the Cuban Society of Physics with related international associations, such as the American Physical Society (APS), is highlighted. Additionally, information is provided about the XIV congress of the Cuban Society of Physics, where the situation of physics education in the country, which has consistently worsened, was discussed. The "Manuel F. Gran" National Physics Award was presented to Dr. Cs. Ernesto Altshuler Álvarez for his contribution to the development of physics in Cuba. [Extracted from the article]

Light roofs, especially those made of asbestos-cement have been widely used in Cuba. Their use includes a wide range of building types, such as industrial facilities, warehouses, temporary facilities and that which is the focus of this paper: the one-story single-family home. These coverings have a high incidence of damage as a result of high winds produced by hurricanes and tornadoes. This paper presents a study of how the force of the wind acts on these buildings, the identification of points on the roof more susceptible to damage and a proposal of solutions - in addition to stipulations in the building code on the assembly of these roofs - to increase their resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an algorithm for the optimization of the design of reinforced concrete (RC) road bridges, taking into account the current conditions in Cuba. The use of RC is chosen over the common solutions due to the current high economic cost of prestressing steel. The optimization problem is formulated to find the minimum direct cost, defining constraints based on the AASTHO-LRFD 2014 and NC-207:2019 standards. The algorithm is created to properly obtain practical solutions from the engineering point of view, involving the use of discrete variables. The optimization method used is Biogeography-Based Optimization. A sensitivity analysis of the parameters of this method is performed. The results indicate that the typical projects currently used can be considerably improved to enhance their economic indexes. Based on these results, some specific design recommendations are given. In addition, future research lines are suggested based on the deficiencies of the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A National Innovation System (NIS) supposes updated, continuous, and collaborative work between different agents, so the value chain approach fits perfectly with this NIS conception. The sector selected to illustrate our proposal is the biotechnological industry because of its structure in technology-based companies and its contributions to de Cuban GDP. This is the first research that works in a proposition of NIS for Cuba. The objective of this paper is to suggest a NIS for Cuba based on the value chain of its biotechnological industry. We follow a benchmarking methodology. First, we analyze nine international NIS experiences from developed and developing countries. Then, we highlight several items to be applied to the Cuban proposed NIS by analyzing five indicators: regulations, technology and innovation policies, financial systems, business activities, and research and education systems. The proposed NIS shows links between funding, production, service, and scientific sectors based on the biotechnological industry. It is considered beneficial for the three most important actors in a nation (companies, government, and society) because it allows a profitable and durable solution for economic and social troubles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes a barely studied phenomenon: the international relations of the Latin American guerrilla groups that emerged during the Cold War. Thus, this work observes the circularity of resources and relationships experienced by the Uruguayan guerrilla of the National Liberation Movement-Tupamaros (MLN-T), from its embryonic stage until its final defeat. Throughout these pages the influences of other guerrilla experiences of the moment are studied. Some experiences that led to the bet, novel up to now, of proposing the armed struggle from an urban character. In this regard, it is presented how, at the beginning of the sixties, Montevideo is a meeting point for revolutionary ideas and actors, given its incomparable democratic quality in the region. The work also presents the difficult relations with Cuba and the strong national imprint that determined the scope of the foreign relations of the MLN-T. This will be related to the few scenarios of material collaboration with other armed groups, especially while the Uruguayan guerrillas experienced a cycle of growing activism. Although a plane of collaboration and camaraderie underlies, a logic of dispute always prevailed in a state dimension. The foregoing only changes when the attempt to create the Revolutionary Coordination Board arises, which championed a project of guerrilla internationalism in the Southern Cone, but whose impulse comes when dictatorships in the region are an inevitable reality. This exercise is developed from an approach to oral history, thanks to several in-depth interviews with renowned members of the MLN-T. This is completed with various documents from the «David Cámpora» Archive of Armed Struggle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the current technological advances in the development of facilities for the testing and approval electrical vehicles batteries. Also, the main aspects for the design this kind of laboratory were analyzed with the objective in the near future in Cuba we will build it. Likewise, the most applied techniques and procedures in the world related with diagnosis and certification of electric vehicles batteries were studied. Based on these studies, the safety requirements and the equipment required for made the tests of those batteries were also considerate where the rough acquisition cost and the potential for the implementation in the country was estimated. The results of the investigation demonstrate the benefits of the implementation of this kind battery labs would be achieved, based on the profits it will generate by its use in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, it was analyzed how the angle of inclination and the azimuth influence the generation of a photovoltaic plant. The plants belonging to the 100 MW program, consisting of 30 photovoltaic plants distributed in Cuba, were analyzed. First, the plants with their current design were simulated and the results were compared with the measurements obtained in each plant. The comparison allowed validating the simulations, where the difference remained below 10%, in most cases. The next step was that different angles of inclination and an east-west orientation were analyzed. The results were compared with studies carried out in other parts of the world, where it is proposed that the angle of inclination and the east-west orientation as a new solution to increase the energy produced by a photovoltaic power plant, taking into account the geographical position, climatic conditions and the investment value or cost of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on Cuba and its position in global politics by means of geopolitics/geoeconomics. These two concepts are used to describe the current international political dimensions and how different nations attempt to control their position within global power politics. Geopolitics has always been related to the energy economy and energy policy. Cuba has throughout history been heavily connected to the states located in its neighbourhood as well as the international power politics. In this article, we illustrate the impacts of geopolitics and further explain the Cuban dependency on international global politics through Cross-Impact analysis (CIA), especially in terms of its version called Express Cross-Impact Technique (EXIT), developed at Finland Futures Research Institute. Three alternative scenarios are the results of the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the first research results of the optical station at the Russian-Cuban observatory. The observatory includes two stations - optical and geodynamical, created by The Institute of Geophysics and Astronomy of Cuba in collaboration with The Institute of Astronomy of The Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Applied Mathematics of The Russian Academy of Sciences. The main instrument of the optical station is a 20-cm wide-field robotic telescope with a CCD camera equipped with the wheel of photometric filters. We present the first photometric researches of active stars V410 Tau, FR Cnc and FK Com obtained in the late 2021 and early 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about the investment climate and operations of MNEs in Cuba due to limited data provided by the Cuban government. In this paper, we explore the investment climate in Cuba and identify factors that limit the activities of MNEs. We also assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future prospects for MNEs in Cuba. Our research is based on questionnaires and semi-structured interviews in MNEs operating in Cuba. MNEs consider low macroeconomic stability, the impossibility of acquiring real estate, access to financing and the movement of capital, and profit repatriation as the most problematic factors for their business activities. On the other hand, IPR protection, corruption, the skills and education of the available workforce and the availability of electricity were assessed as the least problematic. Less than half of the MNEs interviewed found positive changes concerning the investment climate in Cuba during recent years. This implies limited prospects for economic growth in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the way Cuba was represented in noticeable online media in connection with Bernie Sanders' aspirations to become the Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election. Traditional anticommunism and a historical one-sided view on Cuba in the press, as well as widespread conceptual confusion about "socialism" in US society, converged against Sanders over the run-up to the nomination, especially at a crucial moment in February 2020 when he was the frontrunner and was interviewed by CBS. The paper analyses the reaction of the online press to Sanders' comments on Cuba during the interview, but also considers other US press reports during 2019 as well as specialised literature on the topic. Discourse Analysis parameters are brought forward to highlight ideological discourse representations in the media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present paper is to systematize the contributions of more than 15 15 years teamwork around the understanding of communication as a field of complex inter and transdisciplinary reflections, built on the research practice of the Center for Cuban and Caribbean Social Studies “Dr. José A. Portuondo ”, from the Universidad de Oriente (Cuba). To systematize the results, a large volume of data contained in 49 undergraduated and postgraduated investigations, 60 scientific articles, 8 books, 15 book chapters, as well as the empirical experience accumulated in dozens of communities, cultural projects, social institutions was analyzed., local governments, unions, companies, scientific events among others, where research results have been socialized and introduced. A complex conception of communication of a socio-anthropological and micro-cultural nature is proposed, which is already located in the analysis of the media, cultural management, socio-cultural relations, politics and local development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cuba, the treatment of vulnerabilities in the population takes on a new tone in the current conditions. To address this social phenomenon, it is necessary to implement a methodological tool of proven effectiveness worldwide, such as the multidimensional measurement of poverty. This paper aims to explain the characteristics of multidimensional poverty measurement as a tool for improving government attention to vulnerabilities from public policies. The proposal of an Observatory as a way to achieve this task. Among the results of the work are: the elaboration of an instrument for the registration of socioeconomic information in the homes of the municipality, the formation of capacities in institutions and the municipal government, the development of a mobile application and a computer software for capturing, transmission, processing and dissemination of data collected at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Universidad de Oriente, since its foundation in 1947 in the East of Cuba, with particular characteristics that were due to the historical context in which an educational process began that was distinguished from the one that already existed in Havana, printed and has represented a model of education that gathers a founding history and a set of figures that represent it. 75 years after its foundation, this paper has the fundamental objective of analyzing the particularities of the foundation process and development of the Department of Marxism-Leninism of the Universidad de Oriente (provision of services). A journey is made from the foundation of said department in the 1973- 1974 academic year, to its current conformation, going through some of the debates that are held about Marxism today. For its development, it is based on a bibliographical search and the methods: inductive, deductive and historical-logical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues the origins of research in chemical sciences at the University of Orient, and the first chemical degree course in Cuba. The peculiar origin of the career, as a consequence of the orientation to research towards basic science, promoted by Dr. H. Harry Szmant from whiting the career of Industrial Chemical Engineering, is demonstrated. The creation, purposes and evolution of the Chemical Research Center at the Universidad de Oriente are analized. It is argued that the early decision to organize the Chemistry Conference in 1964, the first on the country, arose from identifying the need to divulgate the results and promote exchange among scientists, It is shown that this event served as platform for the creation of the Cuban Society of Chemistry and the Cuban Journal of Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fetal programming was a term used first in humans, then it spread thanks to different research done on domestic animals to determine the effects on the progenies of nutrition during the early, intermediate, and final stages of gestation, and their short-term repercussions on the productive, reproductive, and immunological parameters, such as birth and weaning weights. Aim: To present this concept and analyze birth and weaning weights as reference information for buffalo progenies. Development: This paper deals with the concept of fetal programming and its impact on raising; the weight-related data collected upon buffalo calving were shown. Conclusions: The scientific evidence demonstrated the relevance of the nutritional state of the cows during fertilization and gestation, as well as the low weaning weights of the progenies. It means that a change of mindset is necessary in livestock raising, by considering this scenario as a starting point to produce offspring with the proper weight required for further production and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) model promotes the production of goods and services in a sustainable way, optimizing the consumption of natural resources and mitigating the wastes. In the last years, this model has received a lot of attention and support at the governments' level, internationally; also, in Latin America. Cuba pleads for a sustainable development, with political and incentives for the recycling, the use of the renewable sources and the energy efficiency, as impeller motor of its economic model. Hence, Cuban universities have been requested to include this topic in their study plans, for all the careers. The objective of this paper is to describe how the topic of Circular Economy has been incorporated in the Study Plan of the Electrical Engineering Career at the Technological University of Havana "José A. Echeverría "CUJAE and the results, during the implementation in the 2021 academic year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cuba, due to the need to measure the flows that circulate through small and large diameter conductors and given the momentary impossibility of acquiring high-tech solutions in international markets, these solutions have begun to be implemented as a provisional alternative variant to carry out these measurements. This paper is a summary of the main aspects that must be kept in mind when undertaking the design and construction of a proportional flowmeter, emphasizing the potentialities and weaknesses of each of the solutions that can be implemented for such purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of the upwelling of tropical cyclones Iván (2004) and Gustav (2008), both associated with coastal flooding in the area. The Delft3D-FLOW model was applied in order to determine its influence on the total sea surges that occurred. Graphs of sea elevation due to upwelling were obtained at La Coloma, Playa Bailen, Cabo de San Antonio, Playa Bibijagua and Carapachibey. In the absence of measured data, it was validated by comparing the results with previous studies and modeling in another area, with the presence of sea level measurement stations, but applying the same methodology. Finally, it was concluded that the application of the model under the methodology used correctly described the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since distant times gypsum has coexisted alongside with the humanity and it is one of the oldest building materials. It is also used in decoration works, medicine and light industry. The quality of gypsum products manufactured with high technology in other countries makes of gypsum a valuable material due to its cost-effective production. Although Cuba has this prized resource, there are not short-term investment plans in sight, thus there are not real perspectives for its exploitation. In this paper, the current national status of gypsum production is analyzed and the potentialities and development of the material are assessed. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies would definitely help achieve high-quality productions so as to build a worldwide competitive gypsum industry. It has been proven that gypsum mineral extracted from Matanzas mines can be used to manufacture all gypsum types: construction, modeling and special gypsums. Thus, special gypsum import could be replaced by a national raw material and the growing needs of the potential tourist industry would be met. This product is in demand in health care system as dental and orthopedic plaster and in agriculture as soil neutralizing fertilizer. The country would have an opportunity for competition in the international market where special gypsum is in high demand. Such productions would have great impact in the domestic economy by contributing to obtain new export rubles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gypsum mineral is the most common sulfated ore existing in nature – its chemical formula is CaSO4.2H2O – which has been formed by the evaporation of ocean water during million years. In Cuba there are three gypsum mineral deposits where gypsum beta hemihydrates are mainly produced. Itis used in construction works and modeling and in cement production. This paper aims at doing a chemical and physical characterization of gypsum mineral existing in the mines located in the region Canasi in Matanzas province with the view to assessing its use for obtaining gypsum alpha hemihydrates for special uses, which are deficit products imported at high cost in the country. For this characterization to be carried out at laboratory and industrial scale, the research field was divided into several areas for assessing individual purities –enabling to mix one another in a way that meet the required quality of the product in a determined temperature range. The mine has a great potential for obtaining special gypsum that meet all international quality standards which would allow the country to substitute imports and to fully meet national requirements by building a valuable export. The research proved the gypsum from this mine to be especially fast by nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the main results obtained from the wastewater behavior analysis in the National Center for Scientific Research Company. For this, the information of the analytical results issued by the accredited Laboratory "Group of Management of Technical Scientific Services-DECA" (according to the NC-ISO/IEC 17025:2017), was collected and analyzed, referring to the characterization of wastewater that are generated in the center, considering a period of 15 years of sustained work. The investigation considered two stages, an initial one in stable conditions of the activities of the institution and a second one, in which new discharges generated from the diversification of the productive processes and their impact on the environment are introduced. In addition, it took into account the legal framework protected by current Cuban regulations on wastewater discharges. The study allowed characterizing the liquid waste, not only from the physical-chemical point of view, but also from its biodegradability, the organic load disposed to the sewage system and its contribution to the community treatment system. In this way, the baseline is identified and established from which the behavior evaluation of discharges originating from the incorporation of new lines of production or services will be maintained, due to the reorganization of the enterprise towards sustainable marketing, with the control of compliance with environmental regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egodocuments are an excellent documentary type for the study of social and linguistic history. As they are not subject to mediation, correction, or interference by a secondary author, they are texts in which the author expresses his or her feelings just setting the pen to paper. On the other hand, as their execution is focused on immediate communication, their dissemination is not considered, so they lack the filters of social or formal conventions. The aim of this research is to show the importance of considering egodocuments as a valuable material for the reconstruction of identity and the role played by the popular classes in Cuba, concentrating on the decades before Independence, in those accurate moments when the social and linguistic identity of a new nation was being formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the ending of the XVIII century, there are in Cuba a distinguished group of People with a great monetary power and interested in culture. Colonial authorities don't feel safe with this people who has something in common: they are afro-descendant. This s the main argument for create a politic oppression designed for destroy this economic elite. This was created against the colonial system and they were involved in polemic actions like La Escalera Conspiracy in 1844. But colonial authorities just can pull down their economic power, not their ideas. With this paper, from the view of the oppression against black people, we want to give light about the resistance and the educational level that black Cubans reach in the most significant time within the process of creation of the whole Cuban identity between 1844 and 1898. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TWith the implementation of the technology in Cuba for manufacture of [18F]Fludeoxyglucose ([18F] FDG), it is incurred for the first time in the country in the production of positronic radiopharmaceuticals obtained from cyclotron. This paper presents the productive flow design of [18F]FDG manufacture at the Specialized Center of Diagnosis and Therapy based on the guidelines established by the Good Manufacturing Practices and the Basic Norms of Radiological Security. In addition, the consistency assessment in production batches is shown, information that complemented the process validation. As a results was obtained that the production process, according to the designed flow, is able to consistently provide an injectable pharmaceutical product of the required quality and that meets its specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiopharmaceuticals production department is one of the areas of the new Specialized Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, where injectable drugs are obtained for the use of positron emission tomography cameras in Cuba. With the premise of satisfying the needs of patients, it was essential to design and implement a quality management system. This paper shows the establishment of the mission, vision, policy and objectives of the quality system, the identification and documentation of the processes and other aspects of the management system for obtaining quality radiopharmaceuticals. For this purpose, the requirements established in the ISO 9001: 2015 standard and Regulation 16/2012 of the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices on Good Manufacturing Practices for pharmaceutical products were taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the project for the Introduction of Technologies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of cancer in our country, the Cuban Cyclotron Project was carried out, which included the structural design of the building where a medium energy particle accelerator is installed and the rest of equipment and facilities for the production of positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, the preparation of the production plan and the development of various stages until the start of operations. It is the first time in Cuba that a center for the production of radiopharmaceuticals of this type is set up, which is subject to compliance with specific radiological safety requirements and good practices so that the facility is safe and sustainable in the future. This paper presents the experience carried out over ten years to design and build a production center that meets the production expectations of the Ministry of Public Health to improve early diagnosis capabilities for cancer and other chronic non-communicable diseases. As a result, a facility has been built in Havana where the first cyclotron in Cuba was launched at the Specialized Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, which has a production capacity to distribute radiopharmaceuticals to the capital and other provinces of the country; as well as export to countries in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the historical trajectories of South-South and triangular cooperation and its dimensions in Latin America. Based on this information, the paper intends to assess the framework’s role as an instrument of public diplomacy in developing countries, which enables participating countries to strengthen their international presence and establish strategic alliances with other countries. Building on the theoretical perspective of the framework, the study analyzes specific Cuban cases of South-South cooperation, linking them with the characteristic elements of public diplomacy, and assesses their impact on international development cooperation. In conclusion, the paper contends that Cuba and South Korea should explore the possible concrete links between the elements of international development cooperation and those of public diplomacy, and seek opportunities to foster South-South cooperation as part of public diplomacy. This will help developing countries to discover and establish new forms of exchanges between them and strengthen their cooperative relations with partner countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basketball is one of the students' favorite ball games, and it is also one of the most popular sports for college students to carry out after class. Especially in recent years, with the spread of NBA culture around the world and the extensive development of CUBA in domestic colleges and universities, Yao Ming has appeared in China to compete in the NBA and achieve brilliant achievements. With the increasing investment in the number of basketball venues, basketball itself, as a sport with low dependence on venues, equipment, and people, has the characteristics of economy, convenience, and remarkable sports effect compared with other sports. College students' basketball skills, basketball awareness, and love for basketball are increasing day by day. Attribute reduction algorithm is one of the core contents of knowledge discovery, which describes whether every attribute in the attribute set of information system is necessary and how to delete unnecessary knowledge. Based on the attribute reduction algorithm, this paper studies the early warning of basketball injury risk. The basketball injury can not only make athletes unable to participate in training or competition, but even cripple or lose their lives, which hinders the normal development of sports. Therefore, we should make a comprehensive and objective analysis of sports training to find out the causes of sports injuries, so as to prevent sports injuries. This algorithm takes the attribute frequency as the heuristic information and solves the attribute selection problem when the attribute frequency is the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential for local development to increase both technological and human capacities. From the introduction of technologies, it is essential to diagnose and define the baseline of human resources in the community under study to support the implementation of the knowledge management strategy. In this article, aspects related to human resources and their interdependence with knowledge management were addressed, using multi-criteria models that support decision making in the selection of the most appropriate energy technologies to raise the standard of living. The systems for decision support in rural energization projects and the procedure for the contribution to the improvement of quality from rural energization are program packages built on the basis of technical and non-technical aspects for the energy development of rural areas with less favored populations. In this case, the above tools allowed the development of simulations and the calculation of the disparities that may arise between the existing human resource in the community and its potential after the specific energy solutions have been installed and to measure the potential impact on this resource. This paper reported the results of the application of the referred models, related to the impact on the human resource of the community, the human dimension of sustainable development and knowledge management in the case study of the rural community “El Socucho”, located in Las Tunas province, Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the individual conditions of journalistic production in two independent medias of the media-partisan structure in Cuba. These can be considered among the most internationally recognized Cuban media. In the research, in-depth interviews with 40 journalists. It was found that these conditions are marked, fundamentally, by the confluence in the two media organizations of young graduates of journalism courses in the country with a multiple spatial location, and different referents and professional trajectories. A professional identification with the functions of journalism to inform, monitor power, participate in social debate and show society in its diversity, among others, was also detected. In addition, personal concerns were found about the violence against independent journalism on the island. It was concluded that these conditions materialize in terms of an anti-authoritarian professional discursiveness (and representation) shared by journalists. A comparison with the findings of inquiries located in other national spaces is proposed in the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Giardia spp. is the most common protozoan found in coproparasitoscopic tests; it is the cause of gastrointestinal discomfort, with a high prevalence in children and in low-income areas. This systematic review updates available literature on molecular identification of Giardia spp. in Latin America during 2017 to 2021. Methodology: The guidelines established in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were used; the study covers the period from January 1, 2017 to October 03, 2021; the search focused on the "molecular identification of Giardia spp. in Latin America" in six different scientific databases. The material found was reviewed to select only those papers that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The search yielded 1036 publications, but only 19 investigations in 6 countries (Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela) met the selection criteria. Most were cross-sectional studies carried out in school-age children, the dominant assemblages were A and B while the most frequent subassemblages were AII, BIII and BIV, the most used target genes were tpi and gdh, the prevalence by molecular methods was higher regarding microscopy, the countries with the highest prevalence percentages for Giardiosis were Brazil and Cuba. Conclusions: More Latin America countries need to generate data of prevalence, incidence, and intensity of Giardiosis. Studies are also needed to estimate the costs of Giardiosis on economic productivity and public health. The present systematic review offers evidence based on the current literature available for the molecular identification of Giardia spp. in Latin America during 2017 to 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the deterioration of the environment, mainly in coastal areas, caused mainly by the excessive actions of economic agents, a critical and descriptive vision is needed on the part of researchers. Within this framework, the environmental issue is present in the National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030, which calls for economic mechanisms that have a positive impact on the environment. In line with this claim, the priority of creating an economic -financial mechanism for the environmental management of bays is recognized. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to socialize the theoretical references associated with the economic instruments of environmental policy, as well as the economic -financial mechanisms for the environmental management of bays. Theoretical and empirical methods were used for the documentary review and systematization of knowledge. Among the main results, the key role of environmental management was noted, highlighting the importance of establishing the theoretical references associated with economic-financial instruments and mechanisms, their components and structure and contributing to the integration of the economic dimension in environmental management and policy; as well as the use in Cuba of the economic instruments of environmental policy and the influence it has had at present at the national and international level, which allowed providing more effective solutions to the problems of the environment and its preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper was calculated the return period of coastal floods for each of the coastal settlements that report this extreme event in the Cuban archipelago, based on the period 1901-2020. The chronology and classification of coastal floods for each province was used, as well as the Poisson distribution and the χ² goodness of fit test. It is concluded that the Poisson distribution was suitable in all cases for the significance level of 5%; while the greatest hazard is presented by Havana, Baracoa and the settlements of the Gulf of Batabanó in which the occurrence of a flood event is expected at least once every three to five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]